Broncos to Visit San Diego, USF in Continuing WCC Play

This Week
Santa Clara will close out the first half of West Coast Conference play on the road, visiting San Diego on Thursday and San Francisco on Saturday. The Broncos are currently in third place in league standings, just 1/2 game behind Loyola Marymount and 2.5 games behind Gonzaga. The Toreros are 7-11 overall, 2-3 in WCC play. The Dons will face Saint Mary's before the Broncos' weekend visit, and are currently 7-11, 1-4.

Three-Point Game
Santa Clara's offense is focused on long ball, as the Broncos are averaging 9.1 three-point field goals made per outing, a .384 clip over 16 contests. Quinn Thomas has made 44 treys at a .373 percentage, Ashley Graham follows with 41, .712, and Michelle Cozad is in at 29, .439. The Broncos have historically led the WCC in this category, and last season broke the league record for threes made during conference play. In November, Santa Clara made 13 at Hawaii, tying a program record for a game and setting a Rainbow Wahine Classic new mark. In mid-December, Santa Clara topped that with 14 at Wisconsin, also an opponent record for the Badgers. The Broncos matched that effort on Dec. 30 with 14 threes against Portland State.

Nationally Speaking
Santa Clara is averaging an NCAA-best 9.1 three-point field goals per contest, and is ranked 12th in accuracy (.384) and 29th in scoring offense (71.0). Sophomore guard Ashley Graham is ranked seventh in percentage (.471) and 19th in three-point field goals made per game (2.7). Quinn Thomas is tied for 11th in per game average, with 2.8.

Regarding RPI, which is based on winning percentage, schedule strength and opponent schedule strength, Santa Clara is rated 87th, second best in the league, and the WCC is listed 12th.

Playing the Nation's Best
The Bronco program is known to play a tough schedule on a regular basis, and this year's is no exception. The Broncos faced three top-25 teams in a 15-day span during non-conference play, taking on 13th-ranked Michigan State and No. 3 Georgia at the Rainbow Wahine Classic, and following with a contest against No. 16 Minnesota. Additionally, another non-conference opponent, UW-Green Bay, is receiving votes in the Associated Press poll.

Live Audio & Video on the Internet
Santa Clara's entire schedule returns to the Internet, as a live audio broadcast was available for a fourth season on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Additionally, Leavey Center contests can be followed online with a live statistical tracker, also located on SCU's official athletic website. By logging on, fans can receive real-time updated statistics direct from the official scoring computer, allowing users to listen to the audio broadcast and keep up with the statistics simultaneously. Anthony Passarelli returns as the voice of the Broncos for a fourth season.

Leading the WCC
Santa Clara leads the league in scoring offense (71.0), three-point field goals made per game (9.1), three-point field goal percentage (.384) and is one of only two league teams with a positive turnover margin (2.3). Individually, Quinn Thomas is fourth (14.9) in scoring, followed by Ashley Graham in eighth (11.6) and Michelle Cozad in ninth (11.2). Graham leads the league in three-point field goal percentage (.471), is second in three-point field goals made (2.4) and assist/turnover ratio (1.79), while ranking fourth in assists (3.6) and sixth in field goal percentage (.493). Thomas leads the league in three-point field goals made (2.8), is third in steals (2.19), sixth in three-point field goal percentage (.373) and 10th in assists (2.56). Additionally, she is the only guard in the top 15 in rebounding, listed 14th with a 4.6 average. Cozad is third in three-point field goal percentage (.439), fourth in free throw percentage (.787) and sixth in three-point field goals made (1.6). Kasey Monteith is third in field goal percentage (.543) and 13th in rebounding (4.8) and Kayla Huss is ranked sixth in assists (3.0).

WCC Tournament to Return to Santa Clara
The WCC Championship is returning to the Leavey Center for a second straight season. The 14th annual women's tournament will take place March 3-6. In 2002, the league voted to rotate the championship site regionally. After Santa Clara hosts in 2005, the two-year Bay Area rotation will be complete and the WCC tournament will move to the Pacific Northwest in 2006 and '07. The 2008 and '09 tournaments will be held in Southern California.

A Look Ahead: Broncos Start Second Half of WCC Season
Santa Clara will return home and host Portland and Gonzaga on Feb. 3 and Feb. 5. Tip-offs for both contests are set for 7 p.m. at the Leavey Center.

On TV
The Broncos are scheduled to make one television appearance this season during the WCC slate. Santa Clara will play at Saint Mary's in a Saturday, February 12 game that will tip-off at 7 p.m., with live coverage by Fox Sports Bay Area.

Game Tickets on Sale
Individual game tickets for Santa Clara basketball are on sale through the Department of Athletics' official website SantaClaraBroncos.com, and the athletic ticket office at 408-554-4660, between the hours of 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In conjunction with its exclusive Internet partner, College Sports Online, the athletic department has developed an online ticket application that provides fans with the ability to purchase season tickets, family plans, individual matches or an all-sports pass via the official athletic website. A basketball season ticket package that includes the 14 home games is available for the adult price of $75 for general admission, while a family plan provides a family of five admission to each game for the low price of $100. Youth (12 and under) and senior (over 65-years-old) season tickets are also available for $40. Single matches are priced at $7 for adult general admission, $5 for youths and seniors and $2 for SCU students as well Bronco Kidz members. Single game team passes are also available for $35.

Breakfast Club
Santa Clara began a new tradition this season with the Breakfast Club, a gathering held monthly and hosted by head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. The energized group meetings are held at The Hungry Hound restaurant near campus, with Bento-Jackson briefing the guests on current program events and over a continental breakfast. The next event will be February 7. Cost is $6 per person and the event is held from 7 to 8 a.m.